Showdown In Beantown: A Race To The Finish

A race once considered a "shoe-in" for Democrats in true-blue Massachusetts for the late "Liberal Lion" Edward Kennedy's senate seat, has become incredibly tight and has attracted national attention. Many polls place Republican candidate, State Senator Scott Brown, in the lead over Democratic candidate, State Attorney General Martha Coakley. On Monday, January 11, Martha Coakley, Scott Brown and Tea Party candidate Joe Kennedy participated in the final U.S. Senate Candidates Debate at the UMass Boston Campus Center, sponsored by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

flickr: Martha Coakley for U.S. Senate

flickr:State Senator Scott Brown

The three candidates participate in an on-air radio debate.

flickr: State Senator Scott Brown

Although most of the country regards Massachusetts as a very liberal state, it has a large number of registered Independent voters.

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Scott Brown celebrates winning the Republican primary.

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Martha Coakley campaigns in Framingham with one of her biggest supporters, Vicky Kennedy, widow of the late senator Coakley is aiming to replace.

flickr: Martha Coakley for U.S. Senate

Scott Brown campaigns on the streets in Boston.

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Martha Coakley meets with supporters in Somerville.

flickr: Martha Coakely for U.S. Senate

Scott Brown and his daughters, Ayla and Arianna, send voters a Happy New Year's greeting.

Scott Brown sits at the wheel of what he calls "his old truck" in ads and campaign speeches. Brown has cited the truck as proof he is a man of the people, a tactic that has been criticized by President Obama who noted that President Bush drove a truck too.

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Coakley campaigns in Boston with former President Bill Clinton.

flickr: Martha Coakley for U.S. Senate

Scott Brown campaigns in the North End of Boston with former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

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Martha Coakley supporters show their enthusiasm in Melrose.

flickr: Martha Coakley for U.S. Senate

Brown speaks after accepting his endorsement from the Massachusetts Veterans Association.

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Coakley meets with voters in Lowell.

flickr: Martha Coakley for U.S. Senate

Brown speaks to supporters at a Republican rally in November.

flickr: State Senator Scott Brown

President Barack Obama stumps for Coakley in Massachusetts. As the race became tighter, the Democrats pulled out all of the stops in a frenetic, last-ditch effort to push Coakley to victory.